DC’s Office of Planning recently released the Master Plan for the RFK Stadium Campus, and it’s time to make your voice heard. The Master Plan establishes DC’s vision for the development, defining land use and guidelines to inform planning decisions.
Make your voice heard by providing comments through the online feedback form or by emailing comments to the Master Plan team at [email protected] by August 14th.
What will be at the new RFK campus?
In addition to a new stadium, the development will build an estimated 5,000 to 6,500 new homes throughout residential and commercial districts. These areas will include buildings up to 110 feet high, or about 11 stories, with a minimum of 10 to 15% dedicated to parks and open space. The main area encompassing the stadium (“Stadium District”) will include a structure up to 130 feet high with a minimum of 30% of the area dedicated to parks and open space.
Maps of the proposed development outlining mixed-use districts. The development is located along a quiet stretch of the Anacostia River near Kingman and Heritage Islands.
The RFK campus includes a stretch of the Anacostia Riverfront and riparian corridor. How will the development impact habitat and recreational access in this area?
The edge of the development along the river, referred to in the plan as “Anacostia Commons”, will include the existing 200-foot-wide riparian area adjacent to the river. The development will not include new buildings or other structures in the riparian zone as required by the RFK Memorial Stadium Campus Act. The plan states that a minimum of 60 feet must be provided between the development’s buildings to the riparian buffer.
Pollinator gardens and native flower meadows will provide habitat for bees, butterflies, and migratory species. The development aims to provide increased access to recreation along the river, including kayaking, boardwalks for wildlife watching, and picnic areas.
How will the proposed development impact Kingman and Heritage Islands, the Anacostia River’s natural oasis neighboring the stadium campus?
The current plan includes a new pedestrian bridge linking the Anacostia Riverfront Trail to Kingman and Heritage Islands, DC’s only State Conservation Area. The bridge would connect to the southern end of Kingman Island where a rare and sensitive bog habitat is located. The current plan does not specify whether trails around Kingman and Heritage Islands will be paved upon construction of the new bridge. The pedestrian bridge and increased number of homes and development is expected to increase foot traffic on the islands significantly.
How will the new RFK campus impact flooding and stormwater runoff in the surrounding area?
Portions of the RFK campus are in a FEMA-mapped floodplain. The plan reports that the development will be designed to meet flood hazard rules to mitigate flood risk for the site and the surrounding community. Ideas for stormwater management practices to improve water quality and control stormwater runoff, such as native plantings and bioretention, are loosely outlined in the Master Plan. The ideas for stormwater infrastructure described in the plan are primarily in the areas immediately adjacent to the riverfront. Stormwater management ideas appear somewhat limited in other, more heavily impervious areas of the development, such as the stadium itself and surrounding commercial areas.
What public spaces and green spaces will be included in the new development?
30% of the RFK campus will be parks and open space. The development will include new public spaces along the Anacostia River, including a pedestrian-heavy street connecting the stadium to the riverfront, additional walkways along the riverfront, and a 1-acre park sloping down to the riverfront. Green spaces, shaded seating, community gardens, and playgrounds will be woven into residential and commercial areas. The development’s Recreation District will include athletic fields and open space with native riparian meadow areas and planted stormwater infrastructure. Some of the existing parking lots near the athletic fields will be removed and redesigned for landscape and recreational uses.
What does the plan say about climate impact and goals for a resilient campus?
The campus has an estimated water demand of 1.3 million gallons due to high-density development. Ideas for multimodal transportation access to promote walking, biking, and public transit use are described in the plan. Globally recognized green building standards will be used for commercial and residential development.
Be a voice for the river and share your comments with the DC Office of Planning by August 14th!
In addition to online comment review, the Master Plan team is hosting several pop-up events to hear feedback from the community, which are listed below.
